Southern California Close-Ups: Joshua Tree and environs

A bright moon illuminates the sky above the desert in Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree National Park encompasses almost 800,000 acres and is about a three-hour drive from Los Angeles.

A bright moon illuminates the sky above the desert in Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree National Park encompasses almost 800,000 acres and is about a three-hour drive from Los Angeles. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)